# Cassin's Kingbird (*Tyrannus vociferans*) Cassin's Kingbird is a cheerful bird known for its loud calls and bright colors. It loves to perch on fences and trees, watching for tasty insects to eat. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Cassin's Kingbird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tyrannus-Vociferans-002.jpg&width=800) Photo: Wolfgang Wander, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tyrannus-Vociferans-002.jpg) ## Appearance The Cassin's Kingbird has an olive-gray back, a striking yellow belly, and a dark tail. Its head is gray with a clean white chin and a faint dark mask around its eyes, making it distinct from other kingbirds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Tyrannidae - **Genus:** Tyrannus ## Interesting facts - Cassin's Kingbirds sometimes build their cup-shaped nests on odd places like windmills! - They have a loud, high-pitched 'chi-bew' call that sounds like a squeaky toy! - They often perch high up on wires or dead branches, like tiny sentinels! - This bold bird will bravely dive-bomb even big hawks to protect its territory! ## Special abilities - **Fearless Defender:** Cassin's Kingbird has a brave personality that helps them chase away much larger predators, like hawks, from their nests. - **Hidden Crown:** Cassin's Kingbird can flash a patch of fiery orange feathers on its head when excited or agitated, a secret signal. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-23 cm - **Wingspan:** 33-38 cm - **Weight:** 0.038-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 18-19 days - **Migration Distance:** 2500 km ## Diet & Feeding These clever birds mostly feast on flying insects, but also enjoy a juicy berry snack! - **Primary Foods:** bees, wasps, flies, grasshoppers, beetles, wild berries - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — A key part of their insect diet. - **Eats:** Mexican Elderberry (*Sambucus mexicana*) — Feeds on its ripe berries. - **Shelter:** [Coast Live Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coast-live-oak) (*Quercus agrifolia*) — Often builds nests in its sturdy branches. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A potential predator, especially for young birds. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cassin's Kingbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cassin's Kingbird? 20-23 cm ### What is Cassin's Kingbird's wingspan? 33-38 cm ### How much does Cassin's Kingbird weigh? 0.038-0.05 kg ### How long does Cassin's Kingbird live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Cassin's Kingbird move? 50 km/h ### What does Cassin's Kingbird eat? These clever birds mostly feast on flying insects, but also enjoy a juicy berry snack! ### Where is Cassin's Kingbird usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Cabrillo National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-national-monument) — California, US · National Park - [Conejo Valley Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/conejo-valley-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Santa Ana Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santa-ana-zoo) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Cassin's Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cassins-kingbird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Cassin's Kingbird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cassins-kingbird)